The King of Pop has beaten The King to the top place on a list of top-earning dead celebrities. Michael Jackson's estate raked in an estimated $170m this year, while Elvis Presley secured second place with 55m, according to financial website Forbes.com.The Thriller singer, who died aged 50 of a drug overdose, is also the second highest-earning pop music act this year, dead or alive, Forbes.com said.
This is the second year in a row Jackson came in first place on the list following his death in 2009. Like Jackson, Presley's $55m earnings were helped by the Cirque du Soleil, who produced Viva Elvis in tribute to the late singer.Sultry screen icon Elizabeth Taylor, who passed away in March aged 79, was placed fifth after reportedly earning $12 million, with a large portion coming from the sales of her popular fragrance, White Diamonds.
Hollywood's golden age pin-up girl, Marilyn Monroe, who died at age 36 in 1962, earned near $27 million, placing her third on the list. The Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list by Forbes takes into account any deceased famous figure who has earned at least $6 million between October 2010 and October 2011.
Jackson's physician at the time of his death, Dr. Conrad Murray, is currently on trial in Los Angeles, charged with involuntary manslaughter for administering the powerful anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid for the singer in Jackson's home. Murray has pleaded not guilty. Jackson, whose name has rarely been out of the media headlines due to his sudden death and its cause, has seen sales of albums and memorabilia increase in the past year.
The theatre group Cirque Du Soleil has mounted an extravagant show called 'Immortal' that is based on the singer's life and music. Earlier this month, a tribute concert in Cardiff, Wales, lured tens of thousands of fans. (Dailymail)
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